ISS Daily Summary Report – 7/10/2018

70P Docking: Last night, 70P docked to the DC1 nadir port at 191/01:30:47 GMT and Progress hooks were closed at approximately 01:35:35 GMT. Following the successful docking, the Russian crew completed leak checks, opened the hatches, deactivated the 70P vehicle, and transferred time sensitive cargo.

Cygnus OA-9 Reboost Developmental Test Objective (DTO): Today ground controllers used the Cygnus Delta-V Engine (DVE) to perform a 50-second reboost of ISS. The burn, with a Time of Ignition (TIG) of 3:24:50 PM CT, changed ISS velocity by ~0.05 m/s. Specialists will review data taken during today’s DTO in order to verify the feasibility of using Cygnus engines to perform future ISS reboosts.

Aerosol Samplers: Today the crew deployed two Active Aerosol Sampler (AAS) cartridges in Nodes 1 and 3. The battery-powered AASs actively pull in air and collect particles using the principal of thermophoresis. This is accomplished by flowing the sampled air through a large thermal gradient in a narrow channel. During this process, particles are driven to the cold side of the channel, where an electron microscope (EM) grid is held in place by a tiny magnet. When returned to Earth, these grids are easily removed and placed directly in an EM for analysis.

Micro-11: The crew performed a run for the Micro-11 investigation today. They checked out, configured and calibrated the Micro-11 microscope, thawed samples removed from a Glacier, fixed those samples and loaded them into the microscope for imaging. They then inserted the samples into a Minus Eighty Degree Celsius Laboratory Freezer for ISS (MELFI). There are a total of thirteen runs for the Micro-11 investigation. Micro-11 examines whether spaceflight alters human sperm, by tracking the swimming patterns of human and bull sperm during spaceflight. This investigation also assesses other aspects of sperm functionality related to male fertility. As a result, Micro-11 provides fundamental data indicating whether successful human reproduction beyond Earth is possible, and whether countermeasures are needed to protect sperm function in space.

AngieX Cancer Therapy: Today the crew performed an operations session for the AngieX Cancer Therapy investigation today. The AngieX Cancer Therapy investigation examines whether endothelial cells cultured in microgravity represent a valid in vitro model to test effects of vascular-targeted agents on normal blood vessels. AngieX has developed a treatment that targets both tumor cells and vasculature, but needs a better model on which to test it. This study may facilitate development of a cost-effective method that does not require animal testing and which may help develop safer and more effective vascular-targeted drugs.

Amyloid: Today the crew moved Amyloid samples from a MELFI at -95 degrees C to a Polar at +2 degrees C. Amyloid fibrils prepared in the microgravity environment of the ISS are returned to Earth for analysis through Nuclear Magnetic Resonance spectroscopy and electron microscopy. Amyloid fibrils are the peptide or protein aggregates known to be associated with various diseases, including Alzheimer’s disease and diabetes. It is expected that this study will provide additional insight into the mechanism of amyloid fibril formation.

For the CFE study, blood samples are collected from astronauts and cellular genes are analyzed. The results provide insight into how human bodies function during space flight.

The Medical Proteomics investigation evaluates changes of proteins in blood serum, bone and skeletal muscles after space flight, and also supports identification of osteopenia-related proteins. By combining research results for space mice, astronauts and ground patients, proteins related to osteopenia can be identified using the latest proteome analysis technique. It is anticipated that the use of the marker proteins related to osteopenia will be of benefit in the future for assessing the health of astronauts as well as osteoporosis patients on ground.

Lighting Effects: A 55S subject provided a sleep log entry upon waking and conducted a series of three Cognition tests during the day. The Lighting Effects investigation studies the impact of the change from fluorescent light bulbs to solid-state light-emitting diodes (LEDs) with adjustable intensity and color and aims to determine if the new lights can improve crew circadian rhythms, sleep, and cognitive performance. Results from this investigation also have major implications for people on Earth who use electric lights.

Node 3 Intermodule Ventilation (IMV) Fan Cleaning and Measurements: Results from IMV airflow measurements earlier this year indicated lower than acceptable airflow into the Bigelow Expandable Aerospace Module (BEAM). The low reading was likely due to foreign object debris (FOD) caught in the flow straightener or in the Node 3 Aft Port IMV Fan. Per engineering’s request, the crew cleaned both the straightener and fan today in order to restore nominal flow to BEAM. New IMV airflow measurements were taken once cleaning was complete and experts are evaluating the results to verify acceptable flow rate was restored by the activity.

Public Affairs Office (PAO) Live Events: There were three live PAO events today.

Serena Aunon-Chancellor participated in an educational event this afternoon with Middle school students from the Cleveland Metropolitan School District (CMSD). NASA Glenn is collaborating with CMSD to focus on Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) leadership and careers.

Alexander Gerst participated in education event with Middle school students attending summer programs in the Hampton, VA area. These students are affiliated with camps targeting underrepresented students in underserved communities.

Lastly, Ricky Arnold participated in an event with Baltimore Orioles Manager Buck Showalter, team players, and other members of the Orioles staff.

Dragon Cargo Ops: The crew completed approximately 4:15 of Dragon cargo operations today. So far, the crew has completed 18 hours of transfer operations and have an estimated 61 hours of cargo operations remaining for this SpaceX mission.